{"what_this_is":"The machine-readable twin of the BankPulse page for one RBI rulebook. Same points, same dates, same paragraph references as the page a person reads. RBI's own wording is not reproduced here: each point names the RBI paragraph, the character offset into the text BankPulse read and the sha256 of that text, so the claim can be checked against RBI's own document.","schema_version":1,"release_id":"d653cdb0a5","generated_at":"2026-09-15T00:33:59.117975+00:00","id":"md13164","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks - Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164","status":"In force","importance":{"code":"MR","label":"MUST READ","weight":"Must read","why":"Binding RBI Directions naming this institution class in the title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"applies_to":{"shown":"Commercial banks","class_code":"SCB","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13164","mode":"four_dates_v1","published":{"label":"Published","value":"November 28, 2025","stated":true,"why":"The day RBI put this document out."},"effective":{"label":"Starts to apply","value":"","stated":false,"why":"Not stated separately in this document. Read the rule itself before you assume a start date."},"transition":{"label":"Time to get ready","value":"","stated":false,"why":"Cannot be worked out until the day it starts to apply is known."},"deadline":{"label":"Last date to act","value":"","stated":false,"why":"No date to act by was found in this document. Other dates may sit inside single paragraphs."},"sources":{"published":"doc_date in data/highlights/md13164.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13164","document_date":"November 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:15:46 UTC","text_sha256":"04435b3b0114ee11c29c3381ccc1850a32f34200f982ea26878c6b24582b76a8","word_count":null,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":35,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":35,"points_stored":35,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13164-94242a38","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Board monitors banking outlets","plain_english":"The Board must run off-site and on-site monitoring of every banking outlet.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7(1)","rbi_char_offset":10868,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13164-d967a95f","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Set inclusion targets","plain_english":"The Board must set internal targets for financial inclusion.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7(1)","rbi_char_offset":11354,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13164-40e0210d","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Review digital banking units","plain_english":"The Board must review the progress of digital banking services and units at set intervals.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7(2)","rbi_char_offset":11987,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13164-bade417b","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Board approves BC policy","plain_english":"The Board must approve the policy for engaging business correspondents.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7(3)","rbi_char_offset":12280,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13164-34b1c58f","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Doorstep banking reviewed","plain_english":"Doorstep banking must be reviewed every half year in the first year, then yearly.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7(4)","rbi_char_offset":13055,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13164-27e662d9","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Start date","plain_english":"This rule takes effect immediately.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 2","rbi_char_offset":3935,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13164-914b06f1","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"This rule applies to commercial banks, called 'banks' here.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":4017,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13164-b96bc7ef","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Meaning of Commercial Banks","plain_english":"This means all banks except small finance banks, payment banks and local area banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":4197,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":"The word banks on this page has a narrow meaning. It covers banking companies, the corresponding new banks and the State Bank of India. It leaves out small finance banks, payment banks and local area banks.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13164-ab0b6289","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Board-approved outlet policies","plain_english":"Banks need separate board-approved policies for opening and running outlets.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 6","rbi_char_offset":9587,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13164-ec8d8a9d","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"25 percent rural rule","plain_english":"At least 25% of new outlets each year must open in unbanked rural areas.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9","rbi_char_offset":14659,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13164-ea25bc5b","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Two-year carry forward","plain_english":"Banks can carry forward extra rural outlets opened beyond target for two years.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":18964,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13164-ee791886","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"No shifting for three years","plain_english":"A branch cannot be part shifted within three years of its opening.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 34","rbi_char_offset":31472,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13164-7b7d8351","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"New premises no larger","plain_english":"The new premises for part shifting must not be bigger than the existing premises.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 34","rbi_char_offset":31995,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13164-fdbedb22","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Report call centre changes","plain_english":"Opening, closing and shifting of call centres must be reported to the Reserve Bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 39","rbi_char_offset":34497,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13164-e4aa2eba","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"PRAVAAH portal filing","plain_english":"Banks must file branch approval requests through the PRAVAAH portal.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 18","rbi_char_offset":23007,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13164-2a4d5fb4","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Foreign banks bring capital","plain_english":"A foreign bank must bring assigned capital of US$25 million before its first Indian branch.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 29","rbi_char_offset":28189,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13164-5b7cccda","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Two hundred fifty metres","plain_english":"The new part shifted location must be within 250 metres of the existing one.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 34","rbi_char_offset":31689,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13164-ac76f8e1","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"SEZ machines take rupees","plain_english":"An ATM in a special economic zone must deal only in Indian rupees.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 46","rbi_char_offset":35764,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":10,"claim":"md13164-eea2e309","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"One-year opening window","plain_english":"Banks get one financial year to open a promised rural outlet.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9(8)","rbi_char_offset":18605,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":11,"claim":"md13164-339ba52b","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Government business needs approval","plain_english":"Government business at a banking outlet needs prior approval of the government authority concerned.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":20035,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":12,"claim":"md13164-867cb698","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Foreign subsidiaries included","plain_english":"These branch rules also apply to foreign banks' wholly owned Indian units.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13","rbi_char_offset":20400,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":13,"claim":"md13164-574d9428","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Closure approval rule","plain_english":"Closing a rural or a lone semi-urban outlet needs district committee approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15","rbi_char_offset":21128,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":14,"claim":"md13164-2fbbdf54","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Shift only downwards","plain_english":"A banking outlet may be shifted only within the same or a smaller population centre.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 17","rbi_char_offset":22123,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":15,"claim":"md13164-bfd0d38d","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Lost general permission","plain_english":"Banks that lost general permission need RBI approval for every new branch.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 18","rbi_char_offset":22415,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":16,"claim":"md13164-19615f8b","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Mobile branches are different","plain_english":"A mobile branch is not counted as a banking outlet.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 23","rbi_char_offset":25828,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":17,"claim":"md13164-15662d99","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Foreign banks stand outside","plain_english":"General permission to open branches does not apply to a foreign bank in branch mode.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 28","rbi_char_offset":27752,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":18,"claim":"md13164-de8e68d9","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"One part shift yearly","plain_english":"Only one branch per metropolitan centre or state capital may be part shifted in a year.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 34","rbi_char_offset":31557,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13164-7739b024","page_group":"Chapter VII. Information Reporting","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"CISBI portal reporting","plain_english":"Banks must report all DBU changes to RBI through the CISBI portal.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 108","rbi_char_offset":67249,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13164-5972649e","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Older rules cancelled","plain_english":"This document cancels the earlier conduct rules for these institutions.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 109","rbi_char_offset":67692,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p29","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13164-5b58d0f9","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Earlier repeals stand","plain_english":"Rules already cancelled before this notification remain cancelled.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 109","rbi_char_offset":67765,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p30","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13164-8334d341","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old rules stay repealed","plain_english":"Rules repealed before this document was issued remain repealed.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 109","rbi_char_offset":67824,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p31","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13164-7fbea917","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old actions preserved","plain_english":"Anything already done under the old rules stays governed by those old rules.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 110","rbi_char_offset":67956,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p32","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13164-ae84b68d","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Approvals carried over","plain_english":"Approvals given under the cancelled rules are now treated as given under these rules.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 110","rbi_char_offset":68146,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p33","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13164-cb5408f8","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"IMPACT","heading":"Other laws still apply","plain_english":"These Directions add to other laws. They do not replace any of them.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 111","rbi_char_offset":69027,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p34","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13164-13edf821","page_group":"Chapter VIII. Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"RBI's reading final","plain_english":"RBI's interpretation of any part of these Directions is final and binding.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 112","rbi_char_offset":69479,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13164#p35","layer":"bankpulse"}],"actions":[],"amendments":[],"layers":{"rbi_source":"Facts taken from RBI's own document.","bankpulse":"BankPulse's plain-English summary of RBI's document.","bankpulse_inference":"BankPulse's own inference, not stated by RBI."},"rbi_wording_not_included":"By design. BankPulse never republishes RBI's exact sentences. Use rbi_paragraph with rbi_source.url to read RBI's own words.","terms":"BankPulse's plain-English summaries are BankPulse's own work. The underlying regulation is the Reserve Bank of India's. Always check the RBI document named in rbi_source before acting."}